Hogwarts: a school of Witchcraft and Love (Tom Marvolo Riddle x F!reader)

Chapter 2-13

Sitting on a worn-out wooden bench,
the coolness of the weathered wood seeped through your ordinary Muggle clothes. The brick wall behind you provided a sturdy support as a gust of
wind tousled your hair, making stray strands tickle your face. But you didn't really feel them. You were in your own world of make-believe, holding a stick in your hand, pretending it was your wand instead. With each swish and swoosh, you thought of all of the magical spells you had learned so far.

Hunched over a small black journal was Tom. His fingers moved across the pages as he wrote down his personal thoughts. You stole glances at him every once in a while and asked yourself why you kept doing it when every time, you felt your stomach burst into a million butterflies.

While you sat back casual, he was poised straight, his back like a ruler's straight edge. He disliked anyone looking at him with pity but after hearing Mrs. Cole's story about his life struggles, feeling sorry for him was natural. You wanted to keep him happy and not disappoint him like all the other important people in his life had insisted on doing.

"So... Did you figure it out yet?" You swirled your wand again.

Tom peeked up from what seemed like deep thoughtfulness into squinty-eyed confusion. "Did I figure out what?"

You guessed he hadn't.

Your wand movements lost a bit of their vigor. "Oh... nooothin'," you sang, feeling a tad silly for expecting him to discover the magical qualities of the diary on his own.

But Tom, being perceptive, sensed there was something more. He paused in his writing, setting his pen down, and eyed you. "What do you mean by 'figure it out'?"

You played with your stick, feeling giddy. "Well, you see, that diary... It's not just any ordinary diary..." You drawled, trying to sound mysterious.

He perked up at the mention of this. "Really? What's so special about it?"

With a low voice, you divulged the secret to him. "It's enchanted! If you write something really important in it, the diary can make it come true."

"Are you serious?" He questioned incredulously.

You nodded fervently while forgetting about your wand. "Yes! You just have to write down your biggest dreams or deepest wishes, and the diary will work its magic. But shhh... It's our little secret, okay?" Initially you wanted him to figure it out on his own but a year had gone by, and you figured that maybe this way, you could distract him.

Tom stared at the diary. He looked like he was about to say something, but then decided to keep writing instead. As he did that, you used your arm to brush your sweaty hair from your eyes. Amy and Dennis were sitting underneath a tree further away, and they were both staring at you and Tom.

Truthfully, their staring didn't affect you as much anymore. You had gotten used to it and as long as Tom was by your side, found it easy enough to ignore. If they treated you like an outsider that was their choice but you weren't going to let their stares bring you down.

Your stick was raised high in the air when you saw something in the cloud dotted sky. It was teeny tiny and black but every time you blinked it became bigger and bigger as it hooted.

It was an owl!

The bird landed beside you on the garden floor and held out its leg, offering a letter to you. You eagerly leaned forward, reaching out to take hold of the small scroll, careful not to topple over.